106th Rescue Wing Takes Delivery Of HH-60W Jolly Green II

The New York Air National Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing marked the arrival on October 25 of its new HH-60W Jolly Green II fleet.

The new helicopters will replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters formerly flown by the Wing.

The Wing relied on the HH-60Gs when it provided search and rescue during major storms and hurricanes in Florida, Texas, and North and South Carolina. Members of the Wing said the Pave Hawk was also a great aircraft that played a vital role in the Persian Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

One of the Golf model pilots, Captl Nic Arosemena, said, “Its contributions have cemented its reputation as a workhorse of the U.S. Air Force rescue community.”

Col. Shawn P. Fitzgerald, commander of the 106th Rescue Wing said, “This is a momentous occasion which allows for us to reflect on where we are as an organization and where we are headed.”

Fitzgerald continued, ”The ‘Whiskey’ model you see before you may look almost identical to the Golf, but I can assure you, it is much different. So much so that the training of our aircrew and maintainers requires months and additional intensive training and practical hands-on experience. It’s not an easy transition.”

The W models are more capable and incorporate a number of upgrades such as an integrated avionics suite with flight management system coupled with flight director, weather radar, improved electro-optical/infrared camera and over-the-horizon tactical date receivers.

FMI:  www.nationalguard.mil/